Driver complains of damage to car -- after drag race

A Downers Grove man told police his car suffered criminal damage that included damage to its windshield and door.  But wait, there’s more.  According to police the complainant “changed his story several times,” which is never a good sign.

He told police he turned onto northbound Arlington Heights Road off of Algonquin Road in south Arlington Heights. As he drove north, he decided to race a silver Ford Taurus with “donut” rims. The man said they hit speeds up to 70 mph during which time there were “road-rage activities” including cutting each other off and brake checking each other.

The man said an occupant from the other car threw something which hit his car. Both cars ended up eastbound Huckleberry Lane where the driver of the Taurus tried to force the Downers Grove man off the road. They eventually ended up a dead-end where the driver of the Taurus exited his car with a wrench in his hand, which is never a good sign. He struck the vehicle twice before throwing the wrench at the windshield at which time the Downers Grove man called police. There were no witnesses or captured video. The speed limit on Arlington Heights Road is between 35 and 40 mph. There was no word if he was passed at Doheny and if he started to swerve.

Maybe a “chain” of venue was needed -- bike that was locked in place was reported stolen. The value was $800. The resident said it was stolen sometime between Nov. 28 and Dec. 25.

A taxing taxi ride – A resident called police because her cab fare from O’Hare was estimated to be $36 and she was charged $40.  She was told the $40 included taxes.  She understood and paid. Yes, the Buffalo Grove police serves and protects. It’s a taxing job.

The Grinch strikes again – A man reported to police that someone stole his Christmas lights.  It was the second time in two weeks.

Burglary reported -- A resident on Taylor Court reported that his residence was broken into and ransacked while he and his family were on vacation.  Jewelry was reported stolen. Police are waiting for an inventory of missing items.

Burglary from motor vehicle – A man reported a radar detector was stolen from his car while it was parked in the driveway.  Police reports say a side window was broken in order to enter the vehicle.

Must have been a heck of a party – An employee at a liquor store in the 700 block of Dundee Road reported four people walked out of the store with approximately $1,700 worth of alcohol.  The employee said several bottles of Hennessy and D’usse XO Cognac were reported missing. The employee did get license plate numbers. The theft occurred on New Year’s Eve.

Nursing home theft – An employee of a nursing home reported $80 missing from a female patient.

Stupid is, as stupid does – Drivers in the village appeared to be on good behavior last week with only four DUI arrests and one for driving on a revoked license.

Community News

Village Board meets Monday night

Residents have a choice to make Monday night – the Village Board meeting or the highly popular Lending Tree Bowl that pits Louisiana against Miami of Ohio. Both start at 7:30 p.m. The Village Board meeting is at Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd. The Lending Tree Bowl is at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Go Redhawks!

BMO closing customer service center

After 35 years, BMO / Harris Bank is moving out of its Buffalo Grove location at 700 E. Lake-Cook Road.  The 450 employees will be relocated to Naperville by May.

Police commander calls it a career after 43 years with the BGPD

After 43 years with the Buffalo Grove Police Department, Commander Jim Newton, retired Jan. 2.

Commander Jim Newton

 

He was originally hired in July of 1976 as a part-time Desk Officer, and two weeks later was given the position of a full-time Community Service Officer. In August of 1979 he was hired as a sworn Police Officer. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1996, and then to Commander in 2003.

He served in numerous capacities during his career, including with the NIPAS (Northern Illinois Police Alarm System) Emergency Services Team, as a Field Operations Support Group Commander and as a Patrol Commander. His most recent role was as the Staff Support Commander.

During his more than 40 years of honorable service, he received numerous awards and commendations. These include several Honorable Mentions, Unit Citations, Employee of the Quarter, Life Saving Award, Cook County Award of Merit three times, Northwestern University Executive Leadership Award, Lake County 100 Club Officer of the Year, and was the 1992 and 1998 Buffalo Grove Police Officer of the Year.

Commander Newton served on a variety of task forces and has been extremely involved in numerous fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Illinois throughout his career.

“I am proud to have worked with Jim since I became Chief of this outstanding Department nearly seven years ago,” Police Chief Steven Casstevens said. “In these challenging times for law enforcement across the country, Jim Newton’s tenure of over 43 years is a testimony to his commitment to professional policing, to the men and women of the Police Department, and especially to the members of this community. He will be missed, but his career will serve as an example to all who remain in the service of Buffalo Grove.”

Student Voices

Here are links to the student newspapers at Stevenson and Buffalo Grove high schools.

Buffalo Grove High School Charger

Stevenson High School Statesman

Wheeling High School Spokesman

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